However, you have a key role to play in reporting anything unusual or suspicious. Help us keep the airport safe and secure for yourself and your fellow passengers. Don’t ever be concerned about reporting anything, no matter how minor you may think it is – please let us know immediately and we will investigate. You can report to the Police on 01279 680 298, tell a police officer or any member of airport staff.

Security at the airport isn’t just about screening your bags

While most of our passengers will be familiar with our screening processes as they arrive and depart, it is important to note that these are not the only procedures in place to help keep you, your fellow passengers and the airport safe.

We work effectively with our partners, airlines, staff and wider community in combination with a range of state-of-the art security equipment, and latest techniques for detecting and deterring a wide range of criminality across the entire airport; some of these measures may not be visible. However, here’s an introduction to some of these initiatives:

Essex Police and Project Servator

Essex Police run Project Servator, which involves intelligence-led unpredictable, visible police deployments designed to deter and detect criminality. They can occur any time across the entire airport and also include vehicle checkpoints and use of other policing assets such as dogs so don’t be surprised if you see them! The Servator team regularly briefs and liaises with staff and businesses around the airport so they know what to be on the lookout for and how to report anything suspicious. They love to talk to our passengers to explain what they are doing, so do feel free to chat to them!

In addition, Essex Police work in partnership with British Transport Police to run joint Servator deployments, so you may come across these on your journey into the airport. For further information visit: https://www.essex.police.uk/about-us/project-servator/ and follow the Project Servator team on social media - @EssexPoliceSTN.

Highly trained armed officers are also present around the airport. Their presence is legislated by ****

Utilising the airport community to help be our eyes and ears

All staff that work at Stansted attend regular security training and briefings to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest threat information and security practices, including how to be vigilant for and report suspicious activity.

In addition we engage regularly with community groups such as Plane Watch, a plane enthusiast’s scheme, this is another facet of our total security approach whose extensive membership assists the police protect the airport from any criminal and terrorist activity.

FastTrack security

FastTrack is a dedicated channel to enable you to fly through security and reach the departure lounge more quickly and is now available to pre-book.

Security update

For the benefit of all passengers’ security, departing passengers may be required to be screened using security (body) scanning equipment at Stansted Airport.

Our advanced technology scanners are part of a range of security measures, some of which may not be obvious. These include a deliberate element of unpredictability in their deployment. This means you may experience a different process than you did on your last visit to Stansted.

Scanners are the safe*, quick, and simple to use solution for speeding passengers through security whilst achieving higher levels of security detection than has previously been possible.

Assessment of scan data is conducted using the latest computer algorithms and no personal data is saved.

You may opt out of being screened by security scanner. In this instance, you must either be screened by an alternative method which includes at least an enhanced hand search in private or you will not be permitted to enter the security restricted area, or, if applicable, you will be removed from it. An enhanced hand search in private will take place in a private room or an area away from the main search comb. This may involve the loosening and/or removal of clothing.

In line with the Government announcement regarding all UK airports, electronic items larger than 16 x 9.3 x 1.5 cm will not be allowed into the cabin of flights coming into London Stansted Airport from Turkey.

These items must go into the hold and passengers are advised to liaise with their airline on how to facilitate this.

This will only affect passengers flying into Stansted Airport from Turkey, and not any departing from here. It will however affect passengers’ return journey, when they come back into Stansted Airport.

Coats/Shoes

Loose Items

- Please remove the following from your trouser and shirt/blouse pockets:

Keys

Coins

Mobile phones

Other metal items

Checked in Baggage

For safety reasons, there are many items which aren't suitable for taking onboard as luggage or in the hold.

To avoid bags becoming jammed on the conveyor belt, please ensure that loose straps are tied up and old barcodes are removed, while hand baggage such as small gifts must be unwrapped for security staff to view